Bendings - food, restaurants, chefs and events Buffalo and Niagara Regional area

5/19/2004     NEKTAR FIRE ALTERS PROGRESSIVE DINNER SCHEDULE
Tuesday Night Supper Club “Changes Course” for May 25

BUFFALO – Plans for the Tuesday Night Supper Club’s first “Progressive Dinner” in Buffalo were nearly scuttled by Sunday’s brick oven fire at Nektar, but the dinner will proceed, said club Director Kerry Gleason.
     “We learned of the fire Monday evening, but different sources told us it was anything from a minor kitchen fire to the restaurant burning to the ground. The video news segment on the WKBW website showed us that we needed to make alternative plans for our dinner next Tuesday,” he explained. While the Tuesday Night Supper Club features Buffalo restaurants and Rochester . “We had to react quickly to determine the facts and make an alternate plan, which is not far from the crisis communications we practice in my public relations business.”
     A progressive dinner is a moveable feast, with each different course at a different restaurant. In this case, the Tuesday Night Supper Club arranged for four courses at four different restaurants on the Elmwood Strip next Tuesday, May 25. Nektar had been slated to host the main entrée for the group.
Mr. Gleason said the revised schedule now adds Jimmy Mac’s as the gathering point for drinks and hors d’oeuvres, Ambrosia for appetizers, Le Metro for the entrée and the Sweet Tooth for dessert.
     The menu includes a grazing station at Jimmy Mac’s featuring Shrimp Louisiana, Maryland Crab Cakes, Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Shrimp Cocktail, Chicken Kabobs and Stuffed Mushrooms; a trio of appetizer salad dips at Ambrosia which include taramasalata, tzatziki and their delightful eggplant & crushed walnut salad with fresh-baked pita bread; the entrées at Le Metro, which will be announced Wednesday morning on the TNSC website, and choice of any slice of cake, tort or pie in the refrigerated case at the Sweet Tooth, along with a complimentary cup of coffee, tea or decaf.
     The event is open to the public. The cost for this event is $45 for members and $50 for non-members. ( The cost for each event changes depending on the featured restaurant).
     Anyone may sign up for Tuesday Night supper Club events, and are encouraged to attend one or two events before joining as members. The Buffalo club features about a dozen members, Mr. Gleason said, although attendance at its events has ranged from about 15 to 30 people. The club operates primarily as an e-business utilizing its website at www.TuesdayNightSupperClub.com , although some members RSVP for by events by phone at (716) 566-2733.
     The Tuesday Night Supper Club began in Buffalo last June, and features a different restaurant the fourth Tuesday of every month. Mr. Gleason, with more than 20 years’ experience in food and beverage promotion, started the first supper club in Rochester more than a year ago to generate additional restaurant traffic in a sagging Upstate New York economy. He has arranged more than 30 events in Rochester and 17 dinner events in Buffalo , in addition to wine tours and an upcoming Food Tour in Toronto June 26-27. In addition to the Tuesday Night Supper Club, he also is CEO of AdWorks, which provides advertising and public relations expertise to nearly 100 small business clients and he is nearing completion of his second screenplay, a portrait of American hero and abolitionist Frederick Douglass. Graduated by St. Bonaventure University, the 43-year-old entrepreneur resides in the Rochester suburb of Irondequoit .

4/26/2004 Lauren StClaire recently visited:

Located on 511 Rhode Island Street in Buffalo, NY, I had the opportunity to experience an eclectic European establishment. I found it to be a casual yet upscale restaurant/bar in the city’s west side. Surrounded by numerous art deco paintings on the walls and ample view outside from the wall-length windows, one can effortlessly relax in both a serene and refreshing ambiance.

Chopped salad of tomato, cucumber, red onion, fresh milk mozzarella and mesclun greens served with white balsamic-dijon vinaigrette made for a perfect precursor to my main dish. A palate pleasing entree of duck with penne pasta, mushrooms, potato, feta cheese, and cherries blended perfectly together. The menu choices range from a variety of French and Italian cuisine with elegant presentation and all quite delicious.

Lockport, NY - Culinary and wine lovers - mark your calendars for the 1st annual Taste of Niagara, which has been slated for June 19 & 20, 2004. The Taste of Niagara will take place at Outwater Park in Lockport atop the Niagara escarpment, with scenic views of the Niagara countryside.

Taste guests will be treated to culinary specialties and decadent desserts from Buffalo/Niagara restaurants. Guests will also enjoy the best wines from Niagara Wine Trail Vineyards, Live entertainment, and many other activities as well. There will also be a variety of family - oriented activities and events for all ages to enjoy.

While the Taste of Niagara is an event designed to showcase Western New York and the Niagara region along with its culinary offerings, hippest entertainment and favorite beverages, it also serves a humanitarian purpose for the local community by raising money for Western New York charities.

For more information about other events at the Taste of Niagara or for information about volunteering or having your business participate at the Taste of Niagara please contact us at: Info@TasteNiagara.com or call us at 716-439-9388. We look forward to hearing from you and making this event a huge success.

4/22/2004 Kerry Gleason from the Tuesday Night Supper Club writes:
Dear friends,
We are pleased to announce our next several events, starting with a wonderful dinner next Tuesday at The Hourglass. Our host, Terry Gus Bechakas, will offer a tremendous limited menu for $43 that will showcase some of the Hourglass’ most popular items. The scallops and other fish are flown in daily from the docks near Boston , and quality is the motif that has served the Hourglass well since 1969. As many of you know, the Hourglass has one of the finest wine list anywhere in New York State , and Terry will gladly make a recommendation. Also, The Hourglass features tasty desserts which are made fresh daily on-premises.

Please sign up quickly. We are limited to only 16 people, due to the size of the kitchen and the staff’s dedication to quality. You won’t want to miss our visit to The Hourglass.

PROMOTION: To encourage more single men to attend, we are offering a drink special to any first-time male attendee. We think free is pretty special. With any paid dinner, new guys will be entitled to one free glass of beer, wine or mixed drink up to $7. (That means no coming in, ordering a drink and going out to the car for a cough drop, never to return – Dinner must be paid to take advantage. That’s an inside joke for those of you who were with us at Tandoori last fall!)

May 11 – Casual Tuesday at Kentucky Greg’s Hickory Pit, 2186 George Urban blvd. in Depew
               They specialize in pulled pork BBQ, ribs and gumbo. Prices range from $4.75 to $18.95 for
               sandwiches and platters. Beer and wine are served, and we will ask you to RSVP so we can
               arrange for proper seating. No prixe fixe menu – you’re on your own for dinner & drinks.
May 25 – Progressive Dinner on the Elmwood Strip: 4 courses at 4 different restaurants. The
              restaurants will likely be: Toro, Ambrosia, Nektar and the Sweet Tooth for dessert. Look for
              more details next Tuesday.
June 19-20   TORONTO SUPPER CLUB – The Rochester and Buffalo Supper Clubs will be invited to join
               us for an overnight stay in Toronto, including overnight accommodations, dinner and Sunday
               Brunch, a theatre presentation plus free time for shopping and Toronto’s Night Life. Members
                will also be able to ride the Fast Ferry from Rochester to Toronto and back. Prices and
                details will be announced soon.

    Sign up now for The Hourglass. http://buffalo.tuesdaynightsupperclub.com/next.htm

4/20/2004 Reminder - Town of Tonawanda Showcase 2004 will be arriving May 14,15,&16 at the Town's Lincoln Arena on Parker Ave. Many of the Town's businesses will be participating and of course among them will be representatives of the food industry! The list of participants will be announced soon.

4/11/2004 Kerry Gleason from the Tuesday Night Supper Club wanted everyone to know about the upcoming Casual Tuesday!
     "This Tuesday, we will be offering a Casual Tuesday event at the Park Lane, 33 Gates Circle , Buffalo (off Delaware ) Please visit the website and click the Casual Tuesday RSVP button.
                          http://buffalo.tuesdaynightsupperclub.com/casual.htm
     Our Casual Tuesday events are a cash bar, and if you choose to stay for dinner, we encourage you to do so. Our hosts have kindly offered us some free hors d’oeuvres / bar snacks as an incentive, so we hope you will join us. If you were with us last July when we visited the Park Lane , the restaurant features a new general manager and chef.

     Hot Cajun cooking and Blues/Jazz music to saturate your senses along with a candle-lit bar, voodoo room, and fully operational brewery. This restaurant/bar located on 617 Main Street in the Theater District gives a believable illusion of being right in the heart of New Orleans. Instead of viewing a steamboat trotting along the Mississippi River, Ya Ya’s offers customers a view of Buffalo, NY’s Main Street and subway whirling by.
     While enjoying a Jazzy Blonde, one of Ya Ya’s many fine brewed beers, I was able to have a full view of the kitchen with dishes being prepared and large brewery tanks seen from both the dining and bar area.
     A menu of Blackened Catfish, Gumbo Ya Ya, and Bourbon Braised St Louis Ribs are just a few entrees to choose from. Besides the Sweet Potato Fries, I feasted on one of their daily specials. Duck Breast and Buffalo Mozzarella Antipasto with balsamic vinaigrette is a delectable appetizer.
     After dinner, I returned to the bar area to enjoy some more New Orleans style music while resting in the voodoo room. Adorned with candles, couches, and leather chairs, this room had a definite Mardi Gras ambiance. Both bar and restaurant are spacious, relaxing, and rich in it’s New Orleans theme. If in Buffalo, this establishment certainly should be experienced.

                                       Roseland Italian Restaurant

     Buffalo’s West Side has a well-known Italian restaurant almost clandestine and quaint amongst other residences of the surrounding neighborhood. A landmark established since 1928, Romanello’s Roseland Restaurant speaks volumes for authentic gourmet cooking and impeccable service. A genuine pasta, meat, and seafood establishment.
     “Dinners for two” include seven delectable entrees to choose from. The homemade Manicotti Crepes filled with seasoned ricotta and served with one meatball quenched my taste for an authentic Italian dish. Chicken Picata includes a four-ounce chicken breast sautéed in lemon, butter, and white wine-another pallet-pleasing presentation to choose from.
     Located at 490 Rhode Island in Buffalo, Roseland's is truly a first class haven of historically rich fine Italian ambiance.

3/10/2003 It's not too soon to mark your calendar for local farm fresh produce, organics, baked goods,
plants and flowers every Saturday at Bidwell Parkway and Elmwood Ave. from May 29th to November 6th.
Starting May 29th, 2004, and every Saturday
until November 6th. Forever Elmwood Farmers Market.

3/9/2004 Allen Street Hardware Co. 245 Allen St.- That's the name of Mark Goldman's latest venture. The Buffalo News carried a story yesterday that describes Mr. Goldman,s (Chippewa St. - Calumet) new neighborhood bar and cafe in Buffalo's historic Allentown. Sharon Linstedt (News Staff Reporter) reported that it will offer low cost wines, Flying Bison beer, soups, sandwiches and salads. It will be open seven evenings a week. "Lunches and an outdoor patio are planned."

3/6/2004 International Wine Tasting is being presented by Rich's Renaissance Catering this coming Friday March 12th from 6-9PM 21 & over - Admission $20.00 Partial proceeds to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

2/23/2004 If you are looking for some great prices for Gourmet items try Chef Depot !
http://www.chefdepot.net

Carmelo’s Coat of Arms, Italian Restaurant-Lewiston, New York

While on my travels through the Niagara Region, I come across one of Lewiston’s well known restaurants. Driving on Center Street-the focal point of the village, I find a red brick building with brown awning with the name, “Carmelo’s Coat of Arms” written across it. Peering through the wall-length window, I see candles and fine-dressed tables enticing me inside.

Upon entering, I’m greeted by a black leather couch, small décor candle-lit table, and elegant bar with soft jazz music resounding throughout the room. After being seated, I have the opportunity to speak with the owner of what I find to be a charming and relaxing dining atmosphere. Carmelo Raimondi has been running his restaurant since 1993. It has been a generational family business for the past twenty-five years. He and Master Chef, Mathew Ott have been tantalizing the pallets of their patrons for years. I’m interested to learn the building has a rich history of once being a jailhouse, grange house, and what Lewiston knows today-a fine Italian restaurant. Carmelo brings an air of “homey feel” into the restaurant with his mom, Phyllis, donning signature glasses to greet patrons with a warm welcome. He refers to her as “Mother Hostess”.

Entries include several gourmet Italian and American dishes. For dinner, I enjoyed a fine presentation of filet mignoin served with asparagus, and sweet potato fries. The restaurant also has an impressive selection of fine wines to accompany any entry on the menu.

For reservations and more information on Carmelo’s Coat of Arms, 425 Center St., call 716-754-2311 or visit,
http://www.carmeloscoatofarms.com.

1/27/2004 Sad news. WNY has lost one it's most well known chefs - Andy DiVincenzo of Billy Ogden's. has passed away. Andy was well known in the community for his restaurant, his charitable works and for his association with the Buffalo Bills. He has represented Buffalo many years at the Super Bowl.

1/18/2004 Brothers Pizza Inc. is back - they are in a different location ( used to be on Elmwood in Kenmore) - they are in North Tonawanda at 452 Oliver Street. 693-2000. The will deliver to NT, Ton, Kenmore and Wheatfield ($10.00 min.)

11/18/2003 If you are looking for a great holiday gift to send to friends or relatives who crave food made in Buffalo, you can shop online by going to madeinbuffalo.com. They have many gift packages at all different price ranges, and they can be shipped anywhere in the continental USA. Also, from Nov. 1 through December 31,2003 a portion of the proceeds will benefit Roswell Park Cancer Institute. What a great gift!

11/7/2003 Lauren St. Claire recently visited Mother's Restaurant on Virginia Place.

Mother’s Restaurant, One of Buffalo’s best-kept secrets in fine dining experiences

In the heart of downtown Buffalo, a hidden secret of first class elegance in a casual setting awaits those seeking a comfortable and relaxing dining experience. Upon parking on Virginia Pl near Delaware Avenue, a red heart with arrow through it bearing the logo, “Mother’s” comes into view. This almost looks as if it could be the outside of just a city bar with tattoo-like hand-painted logo on the building near the door.

I’m not sure what to expect as I enter. To my amazement, I am greeted by a tranquil ambience with soft jazz resounding through the restaurant’s dimly lit rooms. To my left is a spiral staircase with a fully stocked, exceptional bar to the right. For dining, padded high-back chairs, white linen draping each table, and a candle centerpiece on each which turns the room into a glowing, sensual haven of comfort. The walls consist of either red brick or gray stone. The restaurant has history of it being a carriage house for one of the mansions on Delaware Avenue from the 1860’s before it was established as a business for dining pleasure.

Along with a fine wine list, the entries prove to be exceptional. A wide range of steak, fish, and chicken tempts the palate. My dish consisted of penne pasta and chicken in alfredo sauce accompanied by beets, walnuts, and spinach. The entry was perfectly complimented to exquisite taste.

Mark Supples has been the current owner for the past ten years. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling the restaurant at 882-2989. The address is 33 Virginia Pl, Buffalo NY 14202.

Lauren StClaire copyright 2003

10/31/2003 Recently, in my website e-mail, I received a notice concerning a new club. It's called Tuesday Night Supper Club.

The Tuesday Night Supper Club (TNSC, for short) started off in Buffalo in June 2003 with a great core group of fun singles and couples! Plenty of special evenings lie ahead.

Every other week, they select a different Buffalo-area restaurant to visit and negotiate for a special menu showcasing their specialties. Because it's usually a slow night at most restaurants, they try to add extra V.I. P. treatment -- perhaps a wine tasting, or a sampler plate, or complimentary appetizers or beverages.

After reading about their meetings at The Park Lane, Olivers & Tsunami, I couldn't resist the next meeting at Crabby Joe's on Franklin at Mohawk across from the Convention Center which took place last Tuesday. We had a nice social hour with very nice people. At seven o'clock, we were seated for appetizers. The crab cake, stuffed banana pepper and clams casino were spicy and delicious. The crab and shrimp bisque was wonderfully creamy.
    The conversation between courses was interesting. We sat across the table from a very nice couple from Niagara Falls and their out of town guest from Michigan.
     When the main course arrived, we all commented on the generous portions. We had a choice of seafood lasagna, double-thick pork chop, mahi mahi or a vegetarian dish. Everyone claimed that their entree was the best and it probably was!
     We finished with a lovely lemon almond tart and promises to see everyone at the next meeting.
     If you enjoy wonderful food at a great price, this is the club you have been waiting for.

Try before you Buy!
We encourage you to attend as a guest before joining as a member. You are responsible only for the cost of that meal, and can decide if you wish to join!

10/27/2003 Blendings is very pleased to share the following review article excerpt by Travel Writer,
Lauren StClaire.
Lauren recently visited The Fyfe & Drum Restaurant/Inn in nearby Youngstown, NY.

A charming, quaint, and historically rich village of serenity is nestled where the Niagara River meets Lake Ontario. The Fyfe & Drum Restaurant and Inn can be found directly across a scenic view overlooking the Youngstown Harbor. Both establishments excel in offering a cozy, laid-back atmosphere. A casual 1840's style restaurant and pub. An outdoor front porch is available for summer dining. During the winter, a fieldstone fireplace sits in the center of the room. Walking into this restaurant, you feel as if you can unwind from the day and breathe a little calmness back into your busy, hectic lifestyle. Entries for lunch and dinner are affordably priced to include burgers, sandwiches, homemade soups, vegetarian dishes, steak, poultry, and seafood. Musical entertainment on the weekends run certain months of the year. The restaurant is open at 11:30 a.m. for lunch daily.

I was captivated by the villages of Youngstown and nearby Lewiston. Part of New York State yet no more than a fifteen minute drive to Old Fort Niagara, Artpark, Niagara Falls, and Canada for Niagara On The Lake. The Fyfe & Drum Inn has five rooms for accommodations. Each room is spacious, comfortable, and relaxing within an 1800's Victorian two-story home. The Fyfe & Drum is a most exquisite yet relaxed ambience of tranquility. An exuberant essence of first class hospitality in a casual setting. The people of Youngstown and surrounding areas are warm in conversation and sincerity. The trip was heartfelt in gaining a deeper appreciation for the scenic beauty, simplicity of life, and richness in history the area has to offer.

for the Inn. For the restaurant, 716-745-3907, 500 Main Street, Youngstown. (www.fyfe-and-drum.com) Head North I-190 to Exit 25B, follow the Robert Moses Parkway North into Youngstown.